Colbert returns with sentimental shout-out to mom

As promised, Stephen Colbert returned to the airwaves Monday night.

Colbert began the edition of The Colbert Report by poking fun at last week's media frenzy regarding his sudden leave-of-absence to attend to a family emergency.

"Hi. How ya been? Before we start the broadcast tonight, I just want to address my recent absence from the national conversation," Colbert said. "As the hub around which the Republic turns, I can understand why the machinery of this great nation ground to a halt last week while you were denied this."

He then addressed some of the "wild rumors" surrounding last week's absence, including speculation that he was about to announce a run for the White House. Ending the segment with a special shout-out to his mother Lorna, Colbert said, "Evidently, having eleven children makes you tough as nails."

Watch the full segment below, uploaded by Mediaite on February 21, 2012: